Blendo

I have bought a few cute gifts here and they have not disappointed! The lady who I presumed to be the owner helped me choose a gift for someone who I was not sure of their taste. With a very cute card, it came to about $ 25. They have very cheap knick knacks but also nicer goods, especially pleasant smelling candles! I particularly liked their selection of Philadelphia merchandise. I would recommend this place for anyone looking for a gift, especially if they are unsure what they are looking for!

Oh my gosh. This store is amazing! It’s like walking into your eclectic aunt’s attic and better! There is so much neat stuff to look through; you could spend an hour just browsing. Antiques, new stuff, gifts, kitschy fun… The staff is lovely, too.

I moved to Washington square over 6 months ago and never made it into Blendo. First off, they have an amazing spot. Right on a corner. The outside kind of makes the place look like a junk store. It gives you little identity to what’s inside.
When I walked in, I was carrying some dog food. I asked if I could set it down. When I did she said «and do you want to put your coffee down here too.» This was more of a statement than a question. Right after I out down the coffee, I noticed the sign. What place really makes grown adults put down their coffee. In a place downtown where there’s coffee places every 10 steps, I would say this isn’t the greatest business tactic. I’d also note that in over 3 years living in philly, I’ve never been asked to do this. Something about this really puts the customers off.
Moving forward, the owner apologized for the look of the store saying she was moving stuff around. I have nothing to compare it to, since it’s the first time I’ve been in. It’s honestly a very congested store. However, the stacks of stuff do have some actual nice gifts. If you were in a pinch, this place would do the trick.
As I looked around the owner basically followed me, it was obvious that she’s paranoid of stealing but I will say she did it in an engaging way asking me where I lived and where I was from.
I stumbled upon some bandanas in the back. Since my dog proudly sports one and this store is a small business, I thought why not grab him another although these basic bandanas can be found pretty much anywhere for cheaper than their price which was $ 3.50.
When I went to pay, I only had a card. I didn’t think this was a problem because next door id just paid for my $ 2 coffee with my card. The owner stated that there was a .50 cent «fee» to use a card. She then said «that’s about what I pay to use a card.» I’m well versed in credit card fees, and get exactly how much merchants pay. Maybe the owner should learn that visa charges 1.7 percent, making that fee on my purchase less than 10 cents. That’s not really important because who turns down a sale over fifty cents?! I just kind of stood there and she said «come back with 3 dollars ok?» Lady, you would have made more money if you took my card.
Anyway, this was one of the oddest shopping experiences I have had. I clearly didn’t return to her shop, and won’t ever be returning because anyone that turns down my money pretty much is telling me never to shop there.
I am however giving her 3 stars because she did engage with me, and the store as I said has some pretty good gifts. You’ll just have to sort through.

I love this quirky place. It is packed full of stuff and would probably not pass a fire marshall inspection, but it is so much fun to browse around inside!
Fun gifts, odds-​n-​ends and unusual stuff you can’t get anywhere else. It’s a little bit of a hidden treasure. The folks that run the place are friendly and helpful.
The newer little patio area outside is really cute and a nice touch. This is honestly a real hidden treasure of our city and I enjoy every visit.

Just walked up to this store to buy a gift for my mom. Was turned away by a woman who told me she needed to close the store because she had a long day. Disappointed because I had had a long day too I told her my hours prohibited me from coming any other time. She then asked me why I would say something «so bitchy.» This is the last time I visit this store! I would refer others who are considering a gift purchase to either Verde or Open House on 13^th street where they will most certainly not be called a bitch.

This store inspired me to lose weight. because if your ass knocks over a ceramic wedding cake topper of a bride dragging her groom, you buy it.
like all the reviews before me, it aint no joke that this place is packed to the brim with lots of fun tchotchkes. You can literally take 45 minutes just perusing this small store. It’s a great place to find funny cards, unique and interesting gifts (one reviewer used the word campy and I totally agree), and lots of cool handmade jewelry for yourself/​for others.

As a discerning shopper always seeking interesting and unusual items, BLENDO is pure joy! I make sure I stop by whenever I’m in Philadelphia. I love ANGELA CAPUTI jewelry and BLENDO is one of the only shops on the east coast that carries her work. The shop carries other interesting and affordable jewelry. It, also, sells antiques, great cards, and other wonderful decorative items. One of my all time favorite shops!!!

Happened upon this place today on my way to Hello Home. Immediately took a liking to any place where a disturbing portrait of Edgar Allan Poe (I assume) was for sale. The place is very tightly packed — I didn’t even try to squeeze by anyone, because it seemed impossible.
Had it been less expensive, and I weren’t gift shopping, I probably would’ve walked out with a bunch of things for myself. The purses and wallets were very cute, they had a pile of random older books, lots of cool lamps, unique cards and random-​stuff-​boxes, etc. Will definitely find something in here you want.

Shopping at Blendo is like raiding a hip grandma’s attic. While a lot of things are campy (or sometimes just plain tacky), you can find some really beautiful items if you search carefully enough. Among the shelves, I came across gorgeous stationary, aprons, and wallets that had the Urban Outfitters/​Anthropolgie vibe without the ridiculous prices.
The place is overflowing with stuff, which can be a little intimidating (I always feel like I’m going to turn around and break something) and suffocating if it’s hot and crowded, but nevertheless, a trip to Blendo is definitely worthwhile if you’re looking for a unique gift or something random to spruce up your home.
Bottom line, you probably won’t find something worth buying every time, but you’ll have fun looking!

I was really happy to find this place after discovering that some other gift shops in the area/​on the block have closed down and NOT told Google. I didn’t expect to go in but I’m glad I did.
As the other reviewers said, it is very «cozy» inside but if you’re willing to search, you can find a lot of different kinds of stuff, which makes it fun if you’re the hunter/​gatherer kind of shopper. It’s also seful when looking for a gift or unique item for yourself; the selection has a lot of variety. I found a great vegan clutch purse and a birthday card for a good boutique price.

Blendo is jam-​packed with all kinds of unusual and campy merchandise. Literally. The stock is stacked, crammed, piled, and mashed. There are narrow little passageways through it. I actually kind of like it, because the vibe in here encourages you to manhandle the products. Much appreciated over the stores where you feel like alarm bells will sound if you pick up a paperweight or move a hanger.
A few years ago I popped in Blendo and picked up a pair of funkily-​colored knit mittens. I hadn’t worn mittens since I was a kid, but Blendo had tons to pick from. I love the eclectic accessories here. Gorgeous patchwork capes/​shawls/​shrugs, chunky beaded jewelry, brightly-​colored sunglasses, glass pendants, organic cotton irony tees. This trip Moms and I stopped by and tried on hats. All manner of hats from Kentucky-​Derby-​worthy to back-​alley-​bongo-​player-​worthy. The quirky shop keeper didn’t bat an eye; in fact, she kept pulling new hats out of trunks and off hat racks for us to try and encouraging us to interact with her merch.
Blendo also has a collection of fun home and bath goods. A vast supply of Ann Taintor products. Insulated lunch bags with monster naïves. Unemployed Philosopher Guild plushies. Hand embroidered state and city throw pillows. All the useless stuff you never knew you wanted. Moms bought an enameled lapel pin that reads «Games Captain» for a friend of hers who throws board games parties and is a stickler for rules — I mean, where else but Blendo could you find a Games Captain pin, I ask you?

I love Blendo. It is a store of kitsch, trinkets and odds and ends. It reminds me of small version of NYC’s Rickys (but without the bath & beauty products). You can find cool items here like ear phones with lips on them to artsy umbrellas. This is a great store to find fun gifts for people. It is a small store with not much elbow room but it is charming.

As the holiday shopping season commences, many will no doubt indulge in the consumerist bacchanal of Black Friday at the national chain stores or its sanity-​preserving online equivalent, Cyber Monday. Conscientious gift-​givers, though, will make every effort possible to funnel their annual stimulus package back into the local economy. If that sounds like you, I recommend a visit to Blendo.
You are sure to find something for everyone on your list here; you will be unable to walk its narrow corridors without espying dozens of items that will bring delight to your loved ones. The treasures you will discover upon entering are too numerous to catalog. A mere sampling: ornate wooden chopsticks, bento boxes, thumb toys, clove boxes, vintage clothes, candles, miniature music boxes & etc.

If a Philly souvenir shop, Beyond The Wall, Urban Outfitters (minus the clothes), and a vintage accessory shop had a foursome, their lovechild would be Blendo. It is packed full of everything from stationery to matted photographs to Philly-​specific souvenirs to bags to jewelry and much more! I found some cool stuff in here, but in agreement with some of the other reviews posted here, it is a bit hard to maneuver around in there since there is so much merchandise, and if there are a good number of shoppers, it turns into human bumper cars. However, if you’re in need of a gift for a friend who lives in or out of town (hence the Philly-​specific souvenir type stuff), you are sure to find it at Blendo.

If I’m in a pinch and need a card or a small gift, I’ll head to Blendo because its in the neighborhood. I always leave feeling disappointed though. The store is overwhelmingly crowded and poorly organized. I also feel as if I’m burdening other customers and the staff simply by walking in. While they accept credit cards, they have a way of making you feel guilty for not paying cash.
They DO have a great supply of Anne Taintor gifts. So if you have that in mind, head to Blendo.

I enjoyed my visit and my purchase at Blendo. The owners do a great job mixing old thrift shop type merchandise with spunky brand new items that’ll keep you browsing and looking in every corner for another sweet deal. Don’t expect high polish or minimalist décor here… no, this is a thrift store at heart, but it’s a thrift store with some spunk. I walked in, half heartedly, not expecting much but I left with a smile on my face and a purchase in my hand. I’m a fan!

One of my favorite places to shop in Philly. Great place to find a one of a kind gift, handbags, jewelry, vintage, «Philly-​themed» stuff that’s not too souverniery. Wonderful collection of Lucite faux tortoise-​shell jewelry and hair accessories and other handmade baubles. The shopkeeper (owner?) is super-​friendly and very helpful. Difficult to come away from here empty-​handed, but the prices are affordable so you can leave guilt-​free!

If you can wade through the maze of layered artifacts, objects, and tsatskes galore… you may just find the perfect little gift or memento for someone special. Perhaps you need a shirt or apron emblazoned with Philadelphia. Or maybe you need a remembrances of Hollywood glory days like Wizard of Oz memorabilia. It’s also possible that you might not know you needed a beaded door curtain until you’re actually staring one down! There’s tons of stuff in this store packed in a very small space… I’ve gone in this store many times, and left frustrated and overwhelmed by the mountains of knick-​knacks. But on those rare occasions that you find the perfect gem, it makes it all worth it! I would caution you to only go in this store if your not claustrophobic!

I always find some fun stuff here. Good for little gifts, though it can get expensive. The jewelry and bags are unique, so I don’t mind the prices in most cases. But some of it is out of my budget. The little purses and novelties might be worth the cost, but when I blow my gift budget on one item, that little purse doesn’t look like much of a gift. Such is life.
It can get a little overwhelming, as the store is jam-​packed with merchandise and a bit cramped. But whenever I’m in the neighborhood I like to stop in.

I absolutely hate this place. My wife has dragged me in here twice and both times I almost passed out. The junk stacked on top of other junk leads me to believe the owner is a compulsive hoarder. There’s always a group of loud, annoying people blocking up the one small path looking at change purses or something else equally as worthless.
Everything in the store is way overpriced. You can make your way further down Pine Street and find better things with better prices. Plus, the staff are pretentious as hell– giving cold shoulders and evil eyes non stop. I know I probably don’t look like the biggest spender, but at least act like you want my money.